High Mileage Cerb

[cerb4me]

Hello,

I've just joined this forum, so first of all, hello!

I'm hoping, fingers cross, to buy my first ever Cerbera later this year & this place has been very helpful in helping me know what to expect.
One thing that did concern me was the Engine Rebuilds subject, especially at such a low mileage (well it seems low to me!). My fears were eased a bit after reading the Engine Rebuild thread, and after just seeing a 91k Cerb just go up for sale on Autotrader (TVR Mads).

Does anyone here know the history of this car IE. original engine etc? (I hope it is!).

Cheers,
Mark.

[beemer]

Hi Cerb4me

I'm certainly no authority on expected engine life of the AJP8, but Simon Sparrow's post on the Engine Rebuilds thread says it all - I saw his yellow Cerbie down at APM a month or so ago, and it looked very fit for 88,000 miles.

unless your expectation level on engine life is based on Merc diesels you have nothing to fear. The reason there are so few Cerbs out there at 80K plus is more to do with the fact that most of them do around 6K miles a year, which accounts for so many of the older ones having covered 30-40K, rather than any inherent weakness in the AJP8.

Mine has done 27K so far, and I am not expecting it to go pop anytime soon (although that would leave me with a perfect excuse for a RR rebuild!!)

go for it - you will not be disappointed

cheers
sean

[gazzab]

And it is argued that lack of use and miles is a contributor to problems.
But at the end of the day people will pay a premium for a car with 12000 miles in 4 yrs when a car that has done 8 - 12K pa will feature lower, or not at all, on the shopping list, I guess. Not necessarily logical.

[cerb4me]

beemer said:

Hi Cerb4me I'm certainly no authority on expected engine life of the AJP8, but Simon Sparrow's post on the Engine Rebuilds thread says it all - I saw his yellow Cerbie down at APM a month or so ago, and it looked very fit for 88,000 miles. unless your expectation level on engine life is based on Merc diesels you have nothing to fear. The reason there are so few Cerbs out there at 80K plus is more to do with the fact that most of them do around 6K miles a year, which accounts for so many of the older ones having covered 30-40K, rather than any inherent weakness in the AJP8. Mine has done 27K so far, and I am not expecting it to go pop anytime soon (although that would leave me with a perfect excuse for a RR rebuild!!) go for it - you will not be disappointed cheers sean

Hi Beemer,

Thanks for the reply - that's good to hear!

All I usually hear when I tell people I'm intending to get a Cerbera is "They're always breaking down" & "they cost a fortune to run" etc etc. Quite frankly I don't care as I've always loved TVR's since the days of the 350i & it's my lifelong dream to own one.

Can't wait to get my hands on one now

Cheers,
Mark.

[cerb4me]

gazzab said:

And it is argued that lack of use and miles is a contributor to problems. But at the end of the day people will pay a premium for a car with 12000 miles in 4 yrs when a car that has done 8 - 12K pa will feature lower, or not at all, on the shopping list, I guess. Not necessarily logical.

Same with most cars really.
I want to use the Cerb as my everyday car (I do about 12-15k a year), but if I do I'm devaluing it.
I tend to go with the "cars were made to be driven" school of thought rather than sat in a garage for months on end.

Cheers,
Mark.

[beemer]

cerb4me said:

Hi Beemer, Thanks for the reply - that's good to hear! All I usually hear when I tell people I'm intending to get a Cerbera is "They're always breaking down" & "they cost a fortune to run" etc etc. Quite frankly I don't care as I've always loved TVR's since the days of the 350i & it's my lifelong dream to own one. Can't wait to get my hands on one now Cheers, Mark.

Bet most of the people saying that haven't driven one, never mind owned one!

I had to wait nearly ten years since first seeing the Cerbera at the 1994 Motor Show, but it's definitely been worth it.

get out in one soon - different league to a Griff in performance terms, IMHO

cheers
sean

[iaiin]

cerb4me said:

beemer said: Hi Cerb4me I'm certainly no authority on expected engine life of the AJP8, but Simon Sparrow's post on the Engine Rebuilds thread says it all - I saw his yellow Cerbie down at APM a month or so ago, and it looked very fit for 88,000 miles. unless your expectation level on engine life is based on Merc diesels you have nothing to fear. The reason there are so few Cerbs out there at 80K plus is more to do with the fact that most of them do around 6K miles a year, which accounts for so many of the older ones having covered 30-40K, rather than any inherent weakness in the AJP8. Mine has done 27K so far, and I am not expecting it to go pop anytime soon (although that would leave me with a perfect excuse for a RR rebuild!!) go for it - you will not be disappointed cheers sean Hi Beemer, Thanks for the reply - that's good to hear! All I usually hear when I tell people I'm intending to get a Cerbera is "They're always breaking down" & "they cost a fortune to run" etc etc. Quite frankly I don't care as I've always loved TVR's since the days of the 350i & it's my lifelong dream to own one. Can't wait to get my hands on one now Cheers, Mark.

Yes thats what i was told,& i started to look for a diffrent car (not sure what).
Then a couple of good reports on here changed my mind & i am going for it!!
So we will both learn the hard way,keep in touch!

[cerb4me]

Hi iaiin,
Yep, the only thing that even put the slightest doubt in my mind when was I read about the engine rebuilds - v. worrying - but other threads have put my mind at rest since.
I'd seen your thread on the Cerb or Griff earlier & must admit I'm tempted by the Griffith, if just for the sound it makes, but then there's just something about the Cerb that tempts me even more!
Hoping to go see a few in the next couple of weeks with a bit of luck, so I'll post my experiences...
Let me know how you get on!
Cheers,
Mark.

[darreni]

As with most cars, buy on condition/history NOT on mileage. I saw some fairly low mileage shitters ( & some nice ones) when i was buying mine last year.
Darren.